For many of us it’s been some time since school was last in session, and we can’t help but wax nostalgic when September rolls around. Lately, there is more to be missed from back-to-school season than afternoon recess, field trips and flavorless foods served with an ice cream scoop. I’m talking about the high quality education that has been lacking in our public school systems for the past few decades. Rather than sitting idly by and watch as American public education becomes a global laughing stock (if it were a kid it would be given daily swirlies by its peers) the high profile art collective RE:FORM SCHOOL has decided to take a stand. RE:FORM SCHOOL has launched a “visual call-to-action”, urging artists to submit their works as a contribution to the cause and as a way for budding artists to showcase their talents alongside some of the biggest names in contemporary art.
All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of celebrity judges from different artistic and educational fields including Shepard Fairey (OBEY), Def Jam’s Russell Simmons, Teach for America founder Wendy Kopp, and many more. Five grand prize winners will be selected to display their artwork at the RE:FORM SCHOOL NYC gallery, and 30 second prize winners will exhibit their work in the group’s online gallery. Submissions will be accepted until September 30th, so bust out your Wacom tablets, your watercolors, your gouache, or your charcoal before time runs out. Can’t draw to save your life? Is a stick figure representation of the Last Supper your one and only masterpiece? Don’t fret my pet, the exhibition is open to the public beginning Saturday, October 9th allowing supporters of the movement to get in on the action without harming any hand-turkeys or letting any of those photos of thumbs see daylight. Check out the RE:FORM SCHOOL homepage for contest guidelines, to find out more about the project itself, as well as a list of contributing artists.
